Blue Angels' Key Influencer Ride - May 3, 2023

Blue Angels' Key Influencer Ride
Naval Air Station Corpus Christi
Wednesday May 3, 2023

The Rev. Guy Nickleson of Corpus Christi takes to the skies in the back seat of Blue Angel #7, piloted by LCDR Thomas Zimmerman. This is the second of two videos of his flight; this longer video showcases what you don't see from the ground and you can see how much Guy enjoyed his F/A-18F Super Hornet flight and what LCDR Zimmerman put him through the duration of his flight over the Gulf of Mexico. I want to thank the ‪@USNavyBlueAngels‬ and the Nicklesons for permission to share this video.

At each show site, the Blue Angels will typically award two flights to two lucky individuals; one of which is a member of the local media and the second is what is known as a Key Influencer ride. According to the Blue Angels, the Key Influencer is defined as "people who help to shape attitudes and opinions of youth in their communities." The team further states the following:

People turn to Key Influencers for advice and information because they have credibility. They may be experts in their field, public figures, leaders of youth organizations, teachers, guidance counselors, or school administrators. They are not always the person et the top or an organization, but have a strong impact on recruiting age youth
and/or a specific target audience. Good examples of local community Key Influencers include university presidents, area organizers of youth athletics, society award winners, school board members, high school principals, coaches, and leaders of diversity groups. Flying these deserving candidates, in cooperation with media presence, will promote the Navy and Marine Corps as professional and exciting organizations with which to serve Elected officials, freelance reporters, and photographers are not eligible. When considering Key Influencer nominees. it is important to include examples of community service and youth involvement that may help a candidate stand out amongst other nominees People involved with organizations such as Boys and Girls clubs, community athletic dubs. Big Brother & Big Sisters, Police Explorers, band leaders, etc. ere good examples of personnel who stand out as quality Blue Angels key influencers. The ultimate goal of the Blue Angels Key Influencer Program is to promote a culture or excellence within the community and inspire youth to work hard towards achieving their goals.

The 2023 Wings Over South Texas Air Show is presented by Reliant and part of the Buc Days festivities in Corpus Christi.

All airshow video shot by ZINGER AVIATION MEDIA during the 2023 airshow season and especially at locations during the 2023 airshow season which would have featured airshow announcer Howdy McCann at the microphone are dedicated to his memory. Howdy passed away suddenly on March 9, 2023, and his voice and contributions to the airshow industry should never be forgotten.

Please note that any music in the video was played through a public address system and ZINGER AVIATION MEDIA does not have any control over what music is being played during an air show. The music industry has increased its concern to ensure they are paid when
copyrighted music is played. Therefore, the USAF requires any U.S. air show, civilian or military, hosting an Air Force aircraft performance which includes music secure the necessary music licenses for broadcast of pre-recorded copyrighted music over public address systems. For the 2023 airshow season, the International Council of Air Shows (ICAS) has negotiated a deal that will allow issuance of music licenses for ICAS member air shows for all three US music licensing organizations: ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC. Each ICAS member air show is eligible for a single package of the three music licenses for one air show at the cost of $875. The rate applies only to music broadcast over the public address system during the air show portion of the program and does not provide the show with the right to use prerecorded music at concerts or other non-air show special events held in conjunction with the air show.

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